Ring retainer

ABSTRACT

A ring retainer includes a tether for securing a ring to a bracelet. In one embodiment, the ring retainer includes a flexible strand. A first portion of the strand encircles the wearer&#39;s limb, forming the bracelet. Another portion of the strand forms the tether, which is long enough to be looped through a ring encircling a digit of the limb. The tether, at its free end, has a releasable fastener for attaching the free end to the first portion to form a closed loop. In another embodiment, the ring retainer includes a flexible tether having a fastener at each end. The fastener at one end is attached to a bracelet, and the length of the tether is sufficient to enable the opposite end to be looped through a ring worn on a digit of the limb.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to devices for securing jewelry, and more particularly to devices used to secure a ring for protection against inadvertent loss.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people possess jewelry having significant monetary or sentimental value, including rings such as an engagement ring or wedding band. Frequently, such a ring is worn throughout the day, and the wearer does not desire to remove the ring when participating in physical activity such as exercise. A wearer may find removing the ring to be undesirable for reasons including a sentimental attachment to the ring, a wish to display the ring to others, or lack of a convenient and safe location where the wearer may confidently secure the ring.

Physical activity increases the risk that the ring will fall from the wearer's finger, perhaps to be irretrievably lost. For example, running, aerobics, and swimming typically include forceful arm motions that may impart momentum to a ring, causing it to fly or drop from the finger. Perspiration, naturally oily skin, and preparations such as soaps, lotions, or oils may have a lubricating effect on the ring, permitting it more easily to slip or slide from the finger. A wearer who has lost weight since obtaining the ring may also find that the ring fits more loosely, putting the wearer at increased risk of inadvertently losing the ring.

The invention provides a ring retainer having a tether for retaining a ring while the ring is being worn on the body of a person.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of a ring retainer according to the teachings of the present invention comprises a continuous flexible strand. A first portion of the strand is adapted to encircle a wearer's limb. A second portion of the strand forms a tether, with a length sufficient to enable it to be looped through a ring worn by the wearer. The tether has a releasable fastener at a free end, for releasably attaching the free end to the first portion to form a closed loop.

An alternative embodiment of the ring retainer comprises a flexible tether having a fastener at one end, attached to a bracelet worn around a wearer's limb. A free end of the tether includes a second fastener. The tether has a length sufficient to enable the free end to be looped through a ring worn on a digit of the limb. The second fastener is releasably attached to the bracelet or to the tether, to form a closed loop.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a flexible tether having a first fastener at a first end, attached to a bracelet. There is a second fastener at a free end, releasably attached to a ring. The tether has a length sufficient to enable the second fastener to reach the ring.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention comprises a flexible tether with its first end fixedly attached to a bracelet. A second end of the tether includes a releasable clasp. The tether has a length sufficient to enable the second end to be looped through a ring and releasably attached to the bracelet by the clasp.

Still another embodiment of the present invention comprises a bracelet and a tether firmly attached at a first end to the bracelet. The tether has a releasable fastener at a second end for releasably attaching the second end to the bracelet to form a loop.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the Figures, in which like numerals indicate like elements, there are shown embodiments of a ring retainer incorporating the invention. It will be noted that the various embodiments share certain common features, which may be shown and described in detail with reference to a drawing of one such embodiment. It should be understood that, when so indicated, such features are common to the other embodiments.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show alternative forms; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a view of one embodiment of a ring retainer according to the present invention, showing the ring retainer worn on a wearer's hand.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention showing a continuous strand fastened to form a bracelet portion and a tether portion.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention showing a retractor included in a fastener attached to a connector at a fastening point along the length of the strand.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention showing a continuous strand with a connector and eye at a first end, and a free end passed through the eye to form a bracelet portion and a tether portion.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention showing a fastener at each end of a tether, in which both fasteners are attached to a separate bracelet.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention showing a retractor included in a fastener at a free end of the tether.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention showing a fastener at the first end of a tether attached to a separate bracelet, and a second fastener at the opposite end of the tether attached to a point on the tether.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1, a perspective view is shown of one embodiment of a ring retainer constructed according to the present invention, illustrating how the ring retainer may be worn on a person's hand.

A ring 10, which a wearer desires to secure with the present invention, is shown being worn on the ring finger. The ring 10 does not form a part of the present invention.

A bracelet 20 is shown being worn around the wearer's wrist. The bracelet 20 may be a band, chain, strap, cord, or article of jewelry adapted to encircle a wearer's wrist, ankle, arm, or leg. In one embodiment, the bracelet 20 includes one or more beads 21 threaded upon a strand 22 of filamentous material, such as monofilament line, floss, or thread. In another embodiment, the bracelet 20 includes an elastic cord. In yet another embodiment, the bracelet 20 includes one or more chains. One skilled in the art will recognize that the bracelet 20 and strand 22 may be fashioned from any of numerous suitable materials, and may be arranged in numerous ornamental configurations.

Although the embodiment of the present invention illustrated by FIG. 1 shows the bracelet 20 worn on the arm, it is readily understood that the bracelet 20 according to the present invention may be adapted to encircle the wearer's leg or ankle, and used for retaining a toe ring, for example.

A flexible tether 30 extends from the bracelet 20, passes through the ring 10, and returns to be fastened to the bracelet 20, thereby forming a closed loop. When fastened, the tether 30 forms a loop that, at its maximum extension, is sufficiently short to prevent the ring 10 from falling off the tip of the fully-extended finger.

Optionally, the tether 30 is passed through a plurality of rings 10 worn together on a digit. For example, a wedding band and an engagement ring, worn on the same finger, may both be secured by the tether 30.

The tether 30 includes one or more fasteners. Conventional fasteners for jewelry are well known in the art, and include clasps, clamps, clips, snaps, buckles, buttons, hooks, eyes, loops, and locks, each in numerous configurations. In FIG. 1, a clasp 31, which is a conventional releasable fastener, is shown at a free end of the tether 30. In another embodiment, the fastener may merely be a knot in the tether 30. The length of the tether 30, which includes the length of fasteners such as the clasp 31 attached thereto, is sufficiently long to enable the tether 30 to be fastened to the bracelet 20 after passing through the ring 10.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention. A strand 22 is fastened to a connector 40 at a first end 41 of the strand 22 and at a fastening point 42, thereby forming a bracelet 20 portion and a tether 30 portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector 40 is a closed link having an eye through which the strand 22 may be passed. In another embodiment, the connector 40 may comprise a conventional fastener such as a releasable clasp for fastening the first end 41.

As shown, the first end 41 may be fastened to the connector 40 by tying strand 22 into a knot around the connector 40 at the first end 41. In another embodiment, the first end 41 may include a closed loop or a closed link for fastening to the connector 40. In yet another embodiment, the first end 41 may include a conventional fastener such as a releasable clasp.

One or more decorative items such as ornamental beads 21 may be threaded onto the bracelet 20 portion of the strand 22. Each bead 21 has a hole adapted to receive a thread such as strand 22, and may be conventionally formed of any material used in jewelry, including plastic, glass, wood, stone, and pearl. Suitable decorative items also include charms. The beads 21 enhance the ornamental value of bracelet 20. Additionally, the beads 21 provide mass, giving the bracelet 20 heft and making it easier to handle.

A fastening point 42 along the length of the strand 22 is determined such that bracelet 20 will have a size desired by the wearer. A desirable size for bracelet 20 is determined by the circumference of the wearer's limb at the point where the wearer desires the limb to be encircled by the bracelet 20. The bracelet 20 must be at least long enough to encircle the wearer's limb. When fastened, the bracelet 20 may fit snugly or loosely around the limb, but should not be so loose as to fall easily from the limb.

The connector 40 and the strand 22 are fastened one to the other at the fastening point 42, thereby closing a loop to form a first portion of the strand 22 into bracelet 20. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the connector 40 and the strand 22 are fastened by knotting the strand 22 around the connector 40. In another embodiment, the connector 40 may include a conventional fastener such as a releasable clasp for releasably fastening to the strand 22, and strand 22 comprises one or more links having a hole for fastening to connector 40. In yet another embodiment, strand 22 may include an additional fastener at the fastening point 42.

The tether 30 is formed from a second portion of the strand 22, which continues outward from the connector 40 to terminate in clasp 31 at the free end of the strand 22. In order to secure the ring 10, illustrated with a dashed line, the clasp 31 is passed through the ring 10 and looped back toward the bracelet 20. The clasp 31 is then fastened to the bracelet 20 at connector 40, thereby forming a closed loop to secure the ring 10.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention having a retractor 60 to store a retractable length of a tether 30 when the tether 30 is not in use or is not fully extended. The retractor 60 includes a housing that contains a conventional retraction mechanism, such as a spring-powered spool, for retractably storing a length of the tether 30. Such retractors 60 are well-known in the art, and therefore are not shown in detail. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the retractor 60 is attached to the bracelet 20 at a fastening point 42; however, the retractor 60 may be conveniently attached to the strand 22 anywhere on the length of the strand 22. In another embodiment, the retractor 60 may be mounted on the connector 40. In yet another embodiment, a fastener at the free end of strand 22, such as clasp 31, may include the retractor 60.

In FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown, having a connector 40 attached to a first end 41 of a continuous strand 22. A fastener 31 at a free end of the strand 22 is passed through an eye in the connector 40 to form a bracelet 20 portion and a tether 30 portion. Between the bracelet 20 portion and the tether 30 portion, the strand 22 is not fastened to the connector 40. Rather, the size of the bracelet 20 is adjusted by pulling the tether 30, to snug the bracelet 20 around the limb of the wearer as tightly as desired.

FIG. 5 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the invention, having a first fastener 50 and a second fastener 31 at opposite ends of a tether 30. The tether 30 is formed from strand 22. The first fastener 50 is attached to a bracelet 20. The tether is looped through a ring 10. The second fastener 31 is then attached to the bracelet 20, thereby forming the tether 30 into a closed loop for securing the ring 10 to the bracelet 20. The ring 10 and the bracelet 20 are each illustrated with dashed lines, as they do not form a part of this embodiment of the invention, and may be supplied by the wearer.

One skilled in the art will recognize that a bracelet 20 suitable for use with this embodiment of the present invention may be fashioned from any of numerous materials, and may be arranged in numerous ornamental configurations. For example, and not by way of limitation, the bracelet 20 may comprise one or more jewels, charms, metallic chains, elastic cords, cloth or leather straps, rigid wires or bands, or the combination of a wristwatch and watchband. The bracelet 20 may be completely closed around the limb or, if substantially rigid, may be partially open around the limb. The bracelet 20 optionally includes a connector 40, which may be a closed link, or which may be a releasable fastener such as a clasp for releasably fastening the bracelet 20 around the limb.

The first fastener 50 may be attached to the bracelet 20 in any of numerous ways. In one embodiment, the first fastener 50 is fixedly attached to the bracelet 20; for example, the first fastener 50 may be a knot formed from the end of strand 22 and tied to the bracelet 20. In another embodiment, the first fastener 50 is able to slide along the length of the bracelet 20; for example, the first fastener 50 may be a loop formed from the end of strand 22, or a clasp loosely encircling the bracelet 20. In still another embodiment, the first fastener 50, such as a conventional releasable clasp, may be releasably attached to the bracelet 20. In yet another embodiment, the first fastener 50 may be fastened to the bracelet 20 at the connector 40.

After the second fastener 31 is passed through the ring 10, the second fastener 31 may also be attached to the bracelet 20 in any of numerous ways. In one embodiment, the second fastener 31 may be a conventional clasp, releasably attached to the bracelet 20. In yet another embodiment, the second fastener 31 may be fastened to the bracelet 20 at the connector 40.

In FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown, having a retractor 60 for storing a retractable length of a tether 30 formed from a strand 22. The retractor 60 is included in a fastener, such as clasp 31, at the free end of the tether 30. In another embodiment, a first fastener 50 at an opposite end of the tether 30 may include the retractor 60.

FIG. 7 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the invention, also having a first fastener 50 and a second fastener 51 at opposite ends of a tether 30 formed from strand 22. The first fastener 50 is attached to a bracelet 20. The tether is looped through a ring 10. The second fastener 51 is then releasably attached to the tether 30, rather than to the bracelet 20. In one embodiment, the second fastener 51 is a conventional clasp, and the tether 30 is equipped with one or more closed loops for receiving the clasp.

While the principles of the invention have been described above in connection with specific embodiments, it is to be clearly understood that the foregoing embodiments do not limit the scope of the disclosed invention. The scope of the disclosed invention is further set forth in the appended claims. 

1. A ring retainer comprising a flexible strand, a first portion of the strand being adapted to encircle a limb of a wearer and a second portion forming a tether, the tether having a length sufficient to enable it to be looped through a ring encircling a digit of the limb and a releasable fastener at a free end of the tether for releasably attaching the free end to the first portion to form a closed loop.
 2. The ring retainer of claim 1 further comprising one or more decorative items threaded on the first portion of the strand.
 3. The ring retainer of claim 1 further comprising a connector at a first end of the first portion of the strand, the first end being distal to the free end, said connector being attached to the strand at a fastening point between the first portion and second portion to form a closed loop comprising the first portion of the strand.
 4. The ring retainer of claim 1 further comprising a first end of the first portion of the strand, the first end being distal to the free end, and a knot securing the first end to a second end of the first portion of the strand, the second portion extending outward from the knot to the free end.
 5. The ring retainer of claim 1 wherein the releasable fastener comprises a clasp.
 6. The ring retainer of claim 1 wherein the releasable fastener comprises a housing containing a retractor for the length of the tether.
 7. The ring retainer of claim 1 wherein the limb is an arm, and the first portion is adapted to encircle the arm proximate the wrist.
 8. The ring retainer of claim 1 wherein the first portion of the strand comprises: a first end being distal to the free end of the tether, and having a connector comprising an eye, and a second end being threaded through the eye.
 9. A ring retainer comprising a flexible tether having: a first fastener at a first end, said first fastener being attached to a bracelet adapted to encircle a limb of a wearer, a second fastener at a free end, and a length sufficient to enable the free end to be looped through a ring worn on a digit of the limb.
 10. The ring retainer of claim 9 further comprising a closed loop, wherein the second fastener is releasably attached to the bracelet to form the loop.
 11. The ring retainer of claim 9 further comprising a closed loop, wherein the second fastener is releasably attached to the tether to form the loop.
 12. The ring retainer of claim 9 wherein the tether is a chain.
 13. The ring retainer of claim 9 wherein the tether is elastic.
 14. The ring retainer of claim 9 wherein the tether comprises a filamentous material.
 15. The ring retainer of claim 9 wherein the first fastener is fixedly attached to the bracelet.
 16. The ring retainer of claim 9 wherein the first fastener is slidably attached to the bracelet.
 17. The ring retainer of claim 9 wherein the first fastener is releasably attached to the bracelet.
 18. The ring retainer of claim 9 wherein the first fastener comprises a clasp.
 19. The ring retainer of claim 9 wherein the first fastener comprises a housing containing a retractor for the length of the tether.
 20. The ring retainer of claim 9 wherein the second fastener comprises a clasp.
 21. The ring retainer of claim 9 wherein the second fastener comprises a housing containing a retractor for the length of the tether.
 22. The ring retainer of claim 9 wherein the bracelet comprises a wristwatch and a watchband.
 23. The ring retainer of claim 9 wherein the bracelet comprises a connector securing a first bracelet end to a second bracelet end to form a limb-encircling loop.
 24. The ring retainer of claim 23 wherein the first fastener is attached to the bracelet at the connector.
 25. The ring retainer of claim 23 wherein the second fastener is attached to the bracelet at the connector.
 26. The ring retainer of claim 23 wherein the connector comprises a clasp.
 27. The ring retainer of claim 23 wherein the connector comprises a housing containing a retractor for the length of the tether.
 28. A ring retainer comprising a flexible tether having a. a first fastener at a first end, said first fastener being attached to a bracelet adapted to encircle a limb of a wearer, b. a second fastener at a free end, said second fastener being releasably attached to at least one ring encircling a digit of the limb, and c. a length sufficient to enable the second fastener to reach the at least one ring.
 29. A ring retainer system comprising a bracelet and a tether, the tether being firmly attached at a first end to the bracelet and having a releasable fastener at a second end for releasably attaching the second end to the bracelet to form a loop.
 30. A ring retainer comprising a flexible tether having a first end fixedly attached to a bracelet adapted to encircle a limb of a wearer and a second end including a releasable clasp, and having a length between the first and second ends sufficient to enable the second end to be looped through one or more rings encircling a digit of the limb and to be releasably attached to the bracelet by the clasp.
 31. A ring retaining method comprising the steps of: providing a bracelet adapted to encircle a limb of a person, providing a flexible tether, having a first end portion and a second end portion, fastening the first end portion to the bracelet, passing the second end portion through a ring to be worn on a digit of the limb, and fastening the second end portion so as to form a closed loop encircling the ring.
 32. The ring retaining method of claim 31 further comprising, prior to fastening the second end portion, the step of passing the second end portion through at least one additional ring to be worn on the digit.
 33. The ring retaining method of claim 31 wherein the step of fastening the second end portion further comprises fastening the second end portion to the bracelet.
 34. The ring retaining method of claim 31 wherein the step of fastening the second end portion further comprises fastening the second end portion to the tether.
 35. A ring retaining method comprising the steps of: providing a strand of a flexible material, fastening a connector to a first end of the strand, determining a fastening point between the first end and a free end of the strand, fastening the strand to the connector at the fastening point to form a limb-encircling loop of the strand between the first end and the fastening point and an extended segment of the strand between the fastening point and the free end, passing the free end through a ring to be worn on a digit of the limb, and fastening the free end to close a loop through the ring.
 36. The ring retaining method of claim 35 further comprising the step, after determining the fastening point, of threading onto the strand, between the connector and the fastening point, one or more decorative items.
 37. The ring retaining method of claim 35 wherein the step of fastening the strand further comprises the step of passing the free end through an eye in the connector. 